title: Pleural abnormalities: thoracic ultrasound to the rescue!
abstract: Diaphragmatic hernias that are diagnosed in adulthood may be traumatic or congenital in nature. Therefore, respiratory specialists need to be aware of the presentation of patients with these conditions. In this report, we describe a case series of patients with congenital and traumatic diaphragmatic hernias and highlight a varied range of their presentations. Abnormalities were noted in the thorax on the chest radiographs, but it was unclear as to the nature of the anomaly. The findings on thoracic ultrasound conducted by a pulmonologist helped to direct appropriate investigations avoiding unnecessary interventions. Instead of pleural effusions, consolidation or collapse, thoracic computed tomography demonstrated diaphragmatic hernias which were managed either conservatively or by surgery. There is increasing evidence that pulmonary specialists should be trained in thoracic ultrasonography to identify pleural pathology as well as safely conducting pleural-based interventions.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiovascular and Respiratory Studies, Hull York Medical School, University of Hull, Castle Hill Hospital, Cottingham HU16 5JQ, UK.
authors.forename: Imran
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Aslam
authors.forename: Sega
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pathmanathan
authors.forename: Umesh B
authors.initials: UB
authors.lastname: Lakshminarayana
authors.forename: Gerard R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Avery
authors.forename: Jack A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Kastelik
authors.forename: Jaymin B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Morjaria
keywords: Bochdalek hernia; Morgagni hernia; acquired diaphragmatic hernia; chest ultrasound; congenital diaphragmatic hernia; diaphragmatic hernias